Courses

Fall 2014

JAPN 101: Elementary Japanese

Introduction to the Japanese sentence structure and writing system, together with the development of basic aural/oral skills, with attention to cultural context. 6 credit; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Fall 2014 · M. Kaga

CHIN 101: Elementary Chinese

Introduction to Chinese sentence structure and writing system, together with the development of basic aural/oral skills, with attention to the cultural context. Students who have learned spoken Mandarin Chinese at home or in another context, but who are unable to read or write, are encouraged to consult the department about the possibility of an independent study in Chinese Literacy given fall term. (Chinese Literacy is a six credit independent study covering all the Chinese characters introduced in Chinese 101-204. Successful completion will allow the student to register for Chinese 205 winter term.) 6 credit; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Fall 2014 · M. Hansell

JAPN 204: Intermediate Japanese

Emphasis is on the development of reading skills, especially the mastery of kanji, with some work on spoken Japanese through the use of audiovisual materials.Prerequisites: Japanese 103 or placement. 6 credit; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Fall 2014 · N. Tomonari

CHIN 204: Intermediate Chinese

Expansion of vocabulary and learning of complex sentence forms, with equal emphasis on the development of the four skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension.Prerequisites: Chinese 103 or placement. 6 credit; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Fall 2014 · S. Guo

CHIN 207: Chinese Studies Seminar in Tianjin: Chinese Language

This course builds oral and written proficiency, emphasizing expressive ability, accuracy of grammar, and pronunciation. Students learn to read, write, and speak Chinese inside and outside of the classroom.Prerequisites: Chinese 103 or the equivalent. 9 credit; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Fall 2014 · Q. Zhao

CHIN 280: Chinese Literacy

This course is aimed at fluent Mandarin speakers who have not learned to read and write. Students will intensively study the same characters as taught in Chinese 101, 102, 103, and 204. Successful completion will allow students to register for Chinese 205 in the winter term.Prerequisites: Near-native fluency in oral Mandarin. 6 credit; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Fall 2014 · M. Hansell

CHIN 282: Chinese Studies Seminar in Tianjin: Chinese Civilization

This lecture course includes a general introduction to Chinese literature, history, geography, and society. It examines the social, ideological, and literary basis of Chinese civilization and society. The course will be conducted in English accompanied by some Chinese vocabulary with its English translation. 6 credit; Humanistic Inquiry, International Studies; offered Fall 2014 · Q. Zhao

CHIN 310: Chinese Maintenance

This course gives students at the 300 level a chance to continue to practice their reading, speaking, and listening skills when a 300-level course is not available. Class will meet once a week to discuss readings, and students will have conversation practice opportunities with tutors. Does not count toward major or certificate.Prerequisites: Chinese 206 or equivalent 2 credit; S/CR/NC; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Fall 2014 · M. Hansell

JAPN 310: Japanese Maintenance

This course gives students at the 300 level an opportunity to continue to practice their reading, speaking, writing and listening skills when a 300-level course is not available. Class will meet once a week to discuss readings or discuss topics students are interested in. Students will have conversation practice opportunities with tutors. Does not count toward major or certificate.Prerequisites: Japanese 206 or equivalent. 2 credit; S/CR/NC; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Fall 2014 · M. Kaga

CHIN 102: Elementary Chinese

JAPN 205: Intermediate Japanese

Continuation of Japanese 204. Completion of this course with a C- or better fulfills language requirement.Prerequisites: Japanese 204 or placement. 6 credit; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Winter 2015 · K. Sparling

CHIN 250: Chinese Popular Culture

This course (taught in English) provides an overview of Chinese popular culture from 1949 to the contemporary era, including popular literature, film, posters, music, and blog entries. The course examines both old and new forms of popular culture in relation to social change, cultural spaces, new media technologies, the state, individual expressions, and gender politics. Throughout this course, special attention is paid to the alliance between popular literature and the booming entertainment industry, the making of celebrity culture, and the role digital media plays in shaping China's cultural landscape. The course requires no prior knowledge of Chinese language, literature, or culture. 6 credit; Literary/Artistic Analysis, International Studies; offered Winter 2015 · S. Guo

JAPN 254: World of Japanese Manga in Translation

This course will examine manga (Japanese comic books that first appeared in post-World War II Japan). Manga are avidly read in Japan as a main component of Japanese popular culture. They have a huge influence on other media such as films and anime. The genre has greatly expanded its readership outside of Japan during the last decade. We will read a variety of manga aimed at different gender and age groups, in English translation. The texts will be interpreted as a means of understanding the world-views of the Japanese, and how Japanese society has evolved in recent decades. 6 credit; Literary/Artistic Analysis, International Studies; offered Winter 2015 · N. Tomonari

JAPN 345: Advanced Reading in Modern Japanese Literature: The Short Story

Introduction to modern Japanese short fiction in the original, with exposure to a variety of styles. Some practice in critical analysis and literary translation.Prerequisites: Japanese 206 or the equivalent. 6 credit; Literary/Artistic Analysis; offered Winter 2015 · K. Sparling

CHIN 350: Advanced Chinese: Poems and Stories

Introduction to traditional and modern Chinese poems and short stories. The most beautiful poems ever written by the Chinese language help students to experience beauty, inspiration, and emotional purification. Selected stories read and discussed in detail will advance students' proficiency in oral and written Chinese. 6 credit; Literary/Artistic Analysis; offered Winter 2015 · Q. Zhao

Spring 2015

JAPN 103: Elementary Japanese

Continuation of Japanese 102.Prerequisites: Japanese 102 or placement. 6 credit; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Spring 2015 · N. Tomonari

CHIN 103: Elementary Chinese

CHIN 206: Chinese in Cultural Context

This course advances students' proficiency in oral and written Chinese, at the same time integrating elements of traditional Chinese civilization and modern Chinese society. Emphasis is on cultural understanding and appropriate language use.Prerequisites: Chinese 205 or the equivalent. 6 credit; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Spring 2015 · F. Merritt

JAPN 206: Japanese in Cultural Context

This course advances students' proficiency in the four skills, of speaking, listening, reading and writing in Japanese. The course also integrates elements of traditional Japanese civilization and modern Japanese society, emphasizing cultural understanding and situationally appropriate language use.Prerequisites: Japanese 205 or placement. 6 credit; Does not fulfill a curricular exploration requirement; offered Spring 2015 · M. Kaga

ASLN 260: Historical Linguistics

Concepts and techniques of historical linguistics, especially methods used in the discovery of family relationships between languages and the reconstruction of ancestral forms. Other topics include grammatical, semantic, and lexical change, processes of sound change, language contact, and the use of linguistic evidence in cultural reconstruction. In addition to the more familiar Indo-European languages, data will come from Western Pacific and Australian languages, and especially East Asian languages.Prerequisites: Previous experience in linguistics or instructor's permission. 6 credit; Social Inquiry; offered Spring 2015 · M. Hansell

CHIN 348: Advanced Chinese: The Mass Media

This course introduces to students major milestones in the development of Chinese cinema since 1980, with additional materials including popular television shows and online materials. Emphasis will be on culturally appropriate language use, and on discussion of the social issues that are implicitly and explicitly addressed on the Chinese-language media. The course aims to increase students' fluency in all four aspects of Chinese language learning (listening, speaking, reading , writing) and to deepen students' understanding of China as a transitional society.Prerequisites: Chinese 206 or equivalent. 6 credit; Literary/Artistic Analysis; offered Spring 2015 · S. Guo

JAPN 349: Advanced Readings in Contemporary Japanese Prose

Reading and discussion of advanced Japanese materials. Exercise in speaking the language and in writing compositions.Prerequisites: Japanese 206 or the equivalent 6 credit; Literary/Artistic Analysis; offered Spring 2015 · M. Kaga